---
title: "Radix Engine"
path: "/contents/tech/core-protocols/radix-engine"
bannerImage: "https://j9ytchrzkvqpcul7.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/5505f537-0a37-47fd-b769-0e6f3cb74491.jpg"
version: "4.4.0"
author: "Hydrate"
createdAt: "2026-01-28T14:13:13.541Z"
updatedAt: "2026-07-08T21:05:22.218Z"
---

# Radix Engine

<Infobox>
| **Type** | Deterministic Execution Environment |
| **Language** | [Scrypto](/contents/tech/core-protocols/scrypto-programming-language) (Rust-based) |
| **Key Innovation** | System-level enforcement of asset rules |
| **VM** | WASM ([Scrypto](/contents/tech/core-protocols/scrypto-programming-language) compiles to [WebAssembly](https://webassembly.org)) |
</Infobox>

## Overview

The **[Radix Engine](/contents/tech/core-protocols/radix-engine)** is the execution environment that runs all [Scrypto](/contents/tech/core-protocols/scrypto-programming-language) smart contracts on Radix. Unlike the EVM (which is a general-purpose virtual machine), the [Radix Engine](/contents/tech/core-protocols/radix-engine) is purpose-built for [DeFi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decentralized_finance) with [asset-oriented programming](/contents/tech/core-concepts/asset-oriented-programming) enforced at the system level.

### System-Level Enforcement

The Radix Engine enforces asset conservation, [access rules](/contents/tech/core-concepts/access-rules-and-auth-zones), and resource behaviors (mint, burn, freeze) at the engine level — not in application code. This means an entire class of bugs (reentrancy, overflow, approval exploits) is structurally impossible.

### Deterministic Execution

Every transaction produces the same result regardless of execution timing or node. Combined with [transaction manifests](/contents/tech/core-protocols/transaction-manifests), users can predict exactly what a transaction will do before signing.

## The Radix Engine

The Radix Engine executes every Scrypto smart contract across four layers, resting on Cerberus consensus. Unlike a general-purpose VM, it is asset-oriented — tokens and NFTs are native primitives rather than balances in a mapping.

RADIX WIKIThe Radix EngineEXECUTION STACKThe Radix Engine is the execution environment for every Scrypto smart contract — purpose-built for DeFi, wheretokens and NFTs are native assets rather than balances in a mapping.FOUR LAYERS, TOP TO BOTTOM1ApplicationYour Scrypto blueprints, packages, and components execute here.topmost2SystemObjects, the resource model, and modules — Metadata · Royalty · Role Assignment.3VMRuns blueprint code in two VMs: Scrypto (WebAssembly) and Native.4KernelSubstates, actors, ownership transfer, and execution costing.lowestruns onCerberus consensusBraided BFT — reaches agreement across only the shards each transaction touches.Written in Scrypto (Rust) · asset-oriented · Scrypto VM + Native VM.radix.wikiThe Radix Engine stack — four layers on Cerberus consensus.